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Apple's newest update to their Mac OS was released in late July and does not disappoint! Being an Apple enthusiast, I installed the update almost the minute it hit the App Store. To be sure everything I use would still run properly, I made the jump from Lion to Mountain Lion on my MacBook Air first, putting it through the ringer for a couple of days before upgrading my iMac. I've loved every moment of my Mountain Lion experience and have recommended the upgrade to all of my clients.

Many people resist upgrading their Macs and I can understand why. Millions of Mac users have switched from PC to Mac over the past two or three years and still have a really bad taste in their mouth from horrific Windows upgrades that wreaked havoc on their old PCs. But, we're not talking about Windows upgrades that seem to do more harm to one's workflow than improve the user's overall experience. Sorry Microsoft, but we're talking about Apple.

Now that you have a Mac, you have a luxury item. Think of it as a car — you're not driving the run of the mill economy car that gets you around town, you are behind the wheel of an impeccably engineered driving machine. Your Mac is sleek, sexy, fast, and once you experience the difference, it's almost impossible to imagine going back. No, you can't get a new Apple laptop for $500; but, you can't buy a new BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or comparable high performance luxury automobile for $15,000, either. Then again, if you're only aspiring to drive a 1994 Toyota Corolla for the rest of your life, you probably aren't reading articles posted on Forbes.com.

These days, all computers will allow you to surf the web, send and receive email, and perform basic office-related tasks. Likewise, all sorts of vehicles will get you to work, the grocery store, and everywhere else you need to go. However, the high-end marvels of automotive engineering deliver an experience that leaves a lasting impression on the driver. When you hit the gas, you are thrown back into your seat and when you turn the wheel or hit the brakes, response is immediate, predictable, and breath-taking. It brings a smile to your face and inspires confidence. That's the way it is with a Mac. It's just more fun to "drive" — it's simple, powerful, finely tuned, leaves you in charge, and works as an extension of you.

Alright, I'm not trying to sell you a Mac here — I'm discussing the benefits of keeping your Mac up-to-date. Why did I use a car analogy, after all? Here's why: you wouldn't imagine going three years without doing any maintenance on your sweet new ride, would you? Then how can you possibly go three years without doing some simple maintenance on your Mac? Here's what is so awesome about Apple's OS upgrades — they are incredibly affordable and make your Mac even better. It's like being able to buy a BMW and continuing to get all of the new features they come out with every year for a few bucks instead of having to trade it in for a new one. Think of Apple's OS updates as oil changes or tune-ups that magically make your car even more amazing.

Now, I can excuse you from updating the OS if you have invested thousands of dollars on third-party software or hardware that has not yet released a compatible software update or driver — that's understandable. I'm not asking you to bring your business to a screeching halt.

Mountain Lion is packed with over 200 new features that enhance the user experience, simplify iCloud documents, and make your Mac run even faster and with more fluidity than ever before. In my next article, I'm going to discuss my favorite new bells and whistles, such as Notification Center and Messages. After learning more about some of the new magic, I believe you will be compelled to update your Mac immediately. Stay tuned and stay up-to-date.

I am the co-founder of Applify, a company dedicated to helping people get the most out of their Apple technology. Feel free to email me and follow me here and on Twitter. I appreciate your feedback and look forward to connecting with you.